Trigger Point Therapy
A trigger point is a palpable hypersensitive structure of the tensed, hardened, and thick muscle, which is painful to pressure and propagates referred pain. Actually every muscle has a few or more trigger points but not all of them are constantly painful. Chronic stress, strain, and tension as well as direct trauma can activate them and cause pain. The trigger point practictioner knows the trigger point pain patterns and thus can elucidate the cause of referred pain. To find an active point, the therapist palpates the area connected with pain. The main goal is to find out exactly which trigger point is responsible for patients complaints. Trigger points can also occur in the ligaments, tendons, or bone skin (periosteum).
There are two kinds of trigger points:
- Latent- without clinical symptoms (when not pressed)
- Active – causing pain, spreading, tension or vegetative reactions
Therapy:
The specific muscle will be palpated to find the most painful and hard point. Then a strong pressure will be applied by the therapist with their elbow or finger. Increased oxygen supply and local increased blood circulation cause local muscle relaxiation.
Therapy of trigger points is painful but helps to efficiently reduce pain. After therapy it is possible that the patient feels like the symptoms returned – it is a normal reaction and can last up to 48 hours. The body needs time to get used to and adjust to the new situation and well as to dispose of metabolic products.
Trigger point therapy is very effective in reducing pain such as:
- tension headache
- pain of the musculoskeletal system
- chronic strain (unfavourable posture)
- injuries or exposure
